Composition of semen and foreskin mucosa aerobic microbiota and its impact on sperm parameters of captive collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu).

AIM: To evaluate the bacterial composition of collared peccary semen and foreskin mucosa, and to verify the sensitivity of isolates to antimicrobials used in semen conservation and to Aloe vera gel, which is an alternative external cryoprotectant. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nine foreskin mucosa and ejaculate samples from adult animals were used. Sperm characteristics and bacterial load were evaluated in fresh semen. The preputial mucosa and semen bacterial isolates were identified and tested against five concentrations of each antimicrobial (streptomycin-penicillin and gentamicin) and A. vera gel. Corynebacterium sp. and Staphylococcus sp. were isolated in greater numbers than others in both semen (64·10 and 20·51%, respectively) and the foreskin mucosa (60·60 and 24·25%, respectively), and ranged from 0·4 to 21 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU) per ml. The average load of Corynebacterium sp. was negatively correlated (P < 0·05) with the sperm membrane integrity (r = -0·73055) and curvilinear velocity (r = -0·69048). Streptomycin-penicillin and gentamicin inhibited most micro-organisms, and A. vera showed lower antimicrobial activity. CONCLUSION: Several Gram-positive bacteria are present in semen and foreskin mucosa of collared peccary, and the benefits of using primarily penicillin-streptomycin and gentamicin antimicrobials in the bacterial control of diluted semen of these animals are strongly indicated. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides insight into the reproductive microbiota of captive male-collared peccary. This work provides a theoretical basis to assist reproductive biotechnologies for ex situ conservation of the species.

Environmental effects on collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) serum testosterone, testicular morphology, and semen quality in the Caatinga biome.

The objective of the study was to understand the influence of climatic variations in a semiarid environment on serum testosterone, testicular morphology and semen quality in collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu). Reproductive metrics (semen quality, testicular morphometry and testosterone serum profiles) of 10 mature males were measured monthly for 18 months. Meteorological data (rainfall, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and radiant heat load) also were recorded during the same period. Rainfall regimes were classified in different classes (Class 1: months with no rain; Class 2: months with up to 50 mm of rain; and Class 3: months with >50 mm of rain). Among rainfall classes, average air temperature (°C) and relative humidity (%) were different. Climatic changes between rainfall classes did not lead to overall variations of testicular size, testosterone production, and semen metrics. However, relative humidity recorded before semen collection (one day, one week, or over 51-55 days) was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with semen motility metrics (total motility, beat cross frequency and straightness) and sperm subpopulations (medium and static sperm), as well as with volume. Negative correlations (P < 0.05) were revealed between air temperature and the same semen motility patterns and volume. Additionally, radiant head load measured on the day of semen collection negatively influenced (P < 0.05) sperm straightness. This study demonstrates for the first time that no seasonal changes could be detected overt the 18-month period on the serum testosterone, testicular morphology and semen quality of collared peccaries raised in the Caatinga biome; however, it is expected that long term environmental changes will influence the reproductive physiology of species leaving in that habitat.

Indução do estro em cutias (Dasyprocta leporina) utilizando-se protocolos à base de prostaglandina isolada ou em associação com análogo de GnRH / Estrus induction in agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) using protocols based on prostaglandin isolated or in association to GnRH analogue

Comparou-se a eficiência de protocolos para indução de estro em cutias. Em cinco fêmeas, foram administradas duas doses de cloprostenol (5µg) com intervalo de nove dias, via intraperitoneal; em outras cinco, administraram-se 30µg de análogo do hormônio liberador de gonadotrofinas (GnRH), via intravulvar, seguidos de 5µg de cloprostenol, via intraperitoneal, após sete dias e, após mais dois dias, nova dose do análogo de GnRH. A cada três dias, a ciclicidade reprodutiva dos animais foi monitorada, por meio de coleta de sangue, para dosagem hormonal, ultrassonografia ovariana e citologia vaginal. Duas das fêmeas que receberam apenas prostaglandina, as quais estavam em fase luteal no início do tratamento, manifestaram o estro aos três e seis dias após a segunda administração da droga. Já nas fêmeas que receberam a prostaglandina associada ao análogo do GnRH, duas que originalmente estavam em fase luteal apresentaram estro aos quatro dias após o tratamento, e uma outra apenas após 10 dias. Não foram evidenciadas diferenças estatísticas quanto à eficiência dos tratamentos (P>0,05). Conclui-se que, de acordo com os protocolos utilizados, o uso da prostaglandina isolada ou em associação com análogo do GnRH para a indução do estro em cutias D. leporina apresenta eficiência limitada às fêmeas que estejam em fase luteal por ocasião do início do tratamento.(AU)

We compared the efficiency of protocols for estrus induction in agoutis. Five females received double intraperitoneal administration of cloprostenol (5µg) on a 2-days interval; other five females were treated with intravulvar administration of 30µg gonadotrophin release hormone analogue (GnRH associated to intraperitoneal administration of 5µg cloprostenol after seven days and a new administration of GnRH analogue after two days. Every 3 days, the agoutis' reproductive cycle was monitored by blood collection for hormonal analysis, ovarian ultrasound and vaginal cytology. Two females, originally in luteal phase, that received isolated prostaglandin presented estrous signs at 3 and 6 days after the second drug administration. From the females that received the association, two that were originally in luteal phase presented estrus at 4 days after treatment, and one other presented estrus only after 10 days. There was no significant statistical difference regarding the efficiency of treatments for estrus induction (P>0.05). We conclude that, according to the protocols tested in the study, the use of isolated prostaglandin or its association to GnRH analogue for estrus induction in D. leporine shows an efficiency limited to the females that were in luteal phase in the beginning of the treatment.(AU)